Title IX

Risk reduction tips can often take a victim-blaming tone, even unintentionally. With
no intention to victim-blame and with recognition that only those who commit sexual
violence are responsible for those actions, these suggestions may nevertheless help
you to reduce your risk experiencing a non-consensual sexual act. Below, suggestions
to avoid committing a non-consensual sexual act are also offered.

Non-Consensual Sexual Act Risk Reduction Tips

If you have limits, make them known as early as possible.

Tell a sexual aggressor "NO" clearly and firmly.

Try to remove yourself from the physical presence of a sexual aggressor.

Find someone nearby and ask for help.

Take affirmative responsibility for your alcohol intake/drug use and acknowledge that
alcohol/drugs lower your sexual inhibitions and may make you vulnerable to someone
who views a drunk or high person as a sexual opportunity.

Take care of your friends and ask that they take care of you. A real friend will challenge
you if you are about to make a mistake. Respect them when they do.

If you find yourself in a position of being the initiator of sexual behavior, you
owe sexual respect to your potential partner. These suggestions may help you to reduce
your risk for being accused of sexual misconduct.

Initiator Risk Reduction Tips

Clearly communicate your intentions to your sexual partner and give them a chance
to clearly relate their intentions to you.

Understand and respect personal boundaries.

DO NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS about consent; about someone's sexual availability; about
whether they are attracted to you; about how far you can go or about whether they
are physically and/or mentally able to consent. If there are any questions or ambiguity,
then you DO NOT have consent.

Mixed messages from your partner are a clear indication that you should stop, defuse
any sexual tension and communicate better. You may be misreading them. They may not
have figured out how far they want to go with you yet. You must respect the timeline
for sexual behaviors with which they are comfortable.

Do not take advantage of someone's drunkenness or drugged state, even if they did
it to themselves.

Realize that your potential partner could be intimidated by you or fearful. You may
have a power advantage simply because of your gender or size. Do not abuse that power.

Understand that consent to some form of sexual behavior does not automatically imply
consent to any other forms of sexual behavior.

Silence and passivity cannot be interpreted as an indication of consent. Read your
potential partner carefully, pay attention to verbal and non-verbal communication
and body language.